Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21


By Flanker7
November 27 2012

Albion suffer a defeat in a game which was overshadowed by a breakdown in discipline.

Match Report


Plymouth Albion  8  v   Bristol Rugby  21


24-11-2012


By Flanker7


After arriving at a very wet and blustery Brickfields today with a real sense of anticipation of a bruising & well entertaining Westcountry derby with the hope PARFC could record a home victory against an indifferent Bristol Rugby team this season.

Albion went into todays game on the back of a home win against London Scottish, while Bristol Rugby came into the game after a good home win against Jersey.  Bristol's away form this season has been below par for them and they have only record one away win at Doncaster Knights prior to todays game.

With the inclement weather appearing to be getting worse as the game progressed, Albion were playing against the wind and other elements first half, the game started very cagey with Bristol's Adrian Jarvis putting up the high ball deep into Albion territory as often as possible putting Albion's defence under tremendous pressure and on many occasions knocking on and surrendering possession back to Bristol.

After 8 minutes of the game Bristol took a deserved lead it came when Bristol opted to take a five metre scrum the ball passed through their backs hands enabling George Watkins to dive over in the corner, Adrian Jarvis missed the conversion in very difficult conditions under foot 5-0 to Bristol.

Albion were pinned back for long spells in the first half and just couldn't get a foothold in the game, with the conditions worsening by the minute, however, a mistake by Bristol enabled Albion to score from a Paul Roberts penalty 3-5,  Albion's mistakes were becoming more evident and costly as Bristol choose to rack up a number of successful penalties in the 18/26/40 minutes of which for me, was a killer blow right on half time to take Bristol out into a 14-3 advantage. Bristol's dominance was such, that Jon Vickers was sin-binned 5 minutes before half time for a professional foul.

Albion attendance today was 1,358, very poor for a game of this magnitude when in the past 5,000 plus had attended, beside the weather being atrocious, England had a game with South Africa at HQ and many would have opted to stay in to  observe this encounter.

With Albion playing with the elements in the second half, there was a lot of positivity of an Albion comeback, however, they would need to score first, and make the Bristol defence work far harder than the first disappointing 40 minutes.

Then came the most astonishing incident I have witnessed at The Brickfields, Sean Michael Stephen put in a big hit on his opposite number eight and took him into touch, Sean got back on his feet and tried to take the ball off Mitchel Eadie (quick throw in) who was having none of it then there was a lot of pushing between the 8's then all of a sudden we had a 30 man mass brawl break out which seemed to go on for an eternity as no one took control of the situation.  This after a meeting of the referee and his assistant referee's in the middle of the field, led to both Mitchel Eadie and Sean Michael Stephen both being yellow carded and after another little hold up Albion's prop Jack Andrew receiving a straight red for throwing punches, this I'm sure will be viewed seriously by the RFU and have serious repercussions for both sides. There were numerous players for me, which on another day would have seen red from both sides.

I would have to say some of the decisions today were frustrating and in some instances bizarre, and clearly got through to some of the players, Albion struggled throughout to gain any forward momentum to their game, Bristol's tactics on the day were bettered suited to the conditions than Albion's.

Albion's lineout throughout the game was disfunctional and I can only recall turning one Bristol lineout over, and winning only one of our own, so being starved of possession and territory it was always going to be a difficult game to win. Right after the restart the game was put to bed as Bristol scored with Redford Pennycook going over after a good drive and Adrian Jarvis conversion 3-21. However, what pleased me, and many others whilst down to thirteen men Albion dug deep  and started to get more into the game as the weather worsen and the rain blew relentlessly into the Bristol teams faces, and Bristol began to tire.

After a huge Albion up and under Bristol were defending their own line trying to prevent Albion from recording a try score, this to the teams credit didn't happen and after many changes to both sides Rhodri Mcatee finally got over the whitewash, to bring the score to 8-21 Paul Roberts missed the conversion.

Referee today was Ian Tempest, it will be interesting to see what the RFU thought of his handling of today's game, and his officials when reviewing this mass brawl, and the game in general.

My final conclusions on a very disappointing outcome for Albion, put this down to a bad day at the office and work harder at your set pieces as it won't get any easier at Newcastle Falcons on Friday night.

The elements today were appalling for both sides, IMHO Bristol seemed to adapt the better and came out on top, Albion will respond to this reversal and hopefully get back to winning ways again soon.

 


Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged)
Date: 27/11/2012 23:43

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: noibla (IP Logged)
Date: 27/11/2012 23:56

Very much as it happened Flanker, what a pity there wasn't more rugby to talk about. We await the report from the R.F.U. with some trepidation.

Semper Sersum.

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: Albi-Quin (IP Logged)
Date: 28/11/2012 04:44

I see that the club have now suspended jack Andrews for 3 games.

"How many more times,Ref?"

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: ianbol (IP Logged)
Date: 28/11/2012 07:29

An excellent report, Flanker. In the circumstances, I would think a difficult one to write up but told as it was.

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: stonehousealbion (IP Logged)
Date: 28/11/2012 08:49

Top job, F7. Plenty of copy for all the wrong reasons - and of course, it will rumble on for a good while. Let's hope that with the return of the wanderers, the boys can make a fist of it on Fri evening in Newcastle.

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: balion (IP Logged)
Date: 28/11/2012 20:16

Well done Flanker you put it down as you saw it and were right.
The only thing I would like to know, "Why did Albion not hoof the ball into the heavens as Bristol did, which put Albion under so much pressure in the first half"?

(Sm128)

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: plymquin3 (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2012 19:28

you can review the brawl on this is plymouth . video provided by bristol you can clearly see the bristol no 14 land the first punch but walks away no punishment. hope the citing board watchs the video wrong person in the dock.

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: lobina (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2012 23:34

And a certain prop comes rushing into the melee from a distance.

Re: Match Report - Albion 8 Bristol 21
Posted by: stonehousealbion (IP Logged)
Date: 01/12/2012 17:54

Just in case it hasn;t been picked up elsewhere, here is the disciplinary news (peposted from a Jersey correspondent):

"Plymouth Albion and Bristol Rugby are to appear before an RFU Disciplinary Panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the game, contrary to Law 5.12, in the RFU Championship match between clubs at Brickfields on Saturday November 24.
The following citings from the same fixture will also be heard:

- Jason Hobson of Bristol Rugby is charged with acts contrary to good sportsmanship, contrary to Law 10.4(m).

- Jack Andrew of Plymouth Albion is charged with punching or striking, contrary to Law 10.4(a).

The hearing will take place at the Bristol Filton Holiday Inn on Tuesday December 4 at 7.30pm.

The Panel will comprise Richard Charles (chair), Dan White and Mike Curling"

The full detail should be on the RFU site, but sometime it's like searching the British Museum...

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net